MANCHESTER, NH – Finding solutions to helping youth find pathways to education, jobs and lifelong self-sufficiency will be the topic of an upcoming symposium on February 24th sponsored by The Moore Center, Fedcap and the Institute for Families at the Rutgers School of Social Work.

Changing the Story: Bold Solutions to Helping Youth Find Jobs, Open Pathways to Education and Develop Life-long Self-Sufficiency will take place Friday, February 24th from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. While the actual symposium will take place in New Jersey, where more than 400 attendees are expected, Manchester-based Moore Center will be using its video conferencing capability and inviting people to watch the symposium live from the agency’s Board Room.

The multi-discipline, cross-sector symposium will address the national crisis of disconnected youth. Millions of 16-24-year-olds are not in school or working in a sustainable job. Many have spent time in child welfare and/or juvenile justice and lack a family or other support structure to help them build a path to self-sufficiency. Young people who have overcome barriers will join experts from across disciplines and sectors to brainstorm solutions to this multi-faceted and critical issue.

The keynote speaker will be Magistrate Judge S. Pamela Gray, Washington, DC, with Allison Blake, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, serving as a special guest speaker. A youth panel will be moderated by William Waldman, School of Social Work Executive-in-Residence and former DHS Commissioner.

“The Moore Center has more than 50 years of experience in helping people become productive members of the community, so we are delighted to partner with Fedcap and the Institute for Families at the Rutgers School of Social Work to afford people the opportunity to hear more about the challenges faced by youth and what we can do,” said Paul S. Boynton, President/CEO, The Moore Center.

For information or to register, please contact Brenda Head at The Moore Center at Brenda.Head@moorecenter.org or 603-206-2742. Note: Social Workers obtain 2.5 Free CEUs.

About The Moore Center
The Moore Center serves people with intellectual, developmental and personal challenges by creating opportunities for a good life and a stronger community. www.moorecenter.org

About Fedcap
Fedcap helps people break through barriers to achieve long-term economic independence. Our programs and operations in the Northeast bring education and the power of work to youth in transition, adults with conviction histories, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and many others facing barriers to employment. We place people in jobs across a wide variety of business sectors and employ 1,500 in our own $90M managed-services operations. Fedcap is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

About Rutgers School of Social Work
The Rutgers University School of Social Work develops and disseminates knowledge through social work re¬search, education, and training that promotes social and economic justice and strengthens individual, family, and community well-being in this diverse and increasingly global environment of New Jersey and beyond.

Young children with ASD are at increased risk for wandering, accidents and unsafe behaviors. Simple, precautionary steps, however, can be taken to reduce these risks and to insure that first responders have the information they need to successfully interact with a child on the spectrum. Older children present an entirely different set of concerns around safety.  This workshop will focus on both age groups of people and address some of the situations that families face regarding the safety of their loved one with ASD, as well as how to prepare your person to be as safe as possible.

After overhearing a staff member talk about shopping for presents for The Moore Center community residences, Barbara suggested this gift-giving as a charitable initiative to her daughter.  Barbara collected a list of wanted items from the house managers and the Girl Scouts asked their families for donations.

“The girls were very excited to collect some of the things that they enjoy too, like games and art supplies,” said Barbara.   “Collecting donations for The Moore Center  provided a tangible way to discuss both the importance of giving back while providing an opportunity to have a natural conversation about people who experience disabilities.”

The Moore Center provides adults over 21 with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders with various services in residential settings. The three community residences are staffed 24 hours a day, providing services to people who require a high level of support, structure and personal care.  Learn more about community residences here.

Community Residence Manager Carolyn Pender beams at the number of gifts donated.

The biggest highlight was the gift-giving. Thanks to the awesome Toys for Tots program, every family was able to take home presents for their children. During the day, Family Support staff organized the gifts by age and gender and even wrapped them, giving the children a head-start on that hallowed Yule-tide tradition of eagerly tearing away wrapping paper for the treasures within.

“The families enjoyed it,” said Dawna Garofalo, Family Support Manager. “From the food to the Santa pictures to the presents, it was another memorable event.”

Chakirah works at Southern New Hampshire University in the dining room, three days per week.  Her duties include keeping the tables cleaned, straightening the chairs and emptying the trash. Chakirah had worked at some New Hampshire Fisher Cats games over the summer but this is her first day job through The Moore Center.

She said she loves working at the college and, most importantly,  getting regular paychecks.

Thursday, December 8

4:00 to 6:00 pm

The Moore Center (Board Room)

195 McGregor Street, Unit 400

Manchester, NH 03102

Snacks!    Pictures with Santa!    Holiday Cheer!

]]> http://moorecenter.org/958/moore-news/2011/family-support-holiday-party-2011/feed/ 1 http://moorecenter.org/952/feature-story/2011/giving-thanks/ http://moorecenter.org/952/feature-story/2011/giving-thanks/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:01:45 +0000 Dave http://moorecenter.org/?p=952 In time for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Moore Center Family Support Council has continued a tradition it began last year: the purchase and delivery of food baskets for families in need. With the economy in the state it is, the Council felt the need to boost the output of baskets, and for 2011 they assembled 15 assortments of whole turkeys, stuffing, dessert, vegetables and all the fixings. The baskets go to families from Family Support, Independent Living, Family Directed Services and Children’s Services.

“The families are just so appreciative,” said Family Support Manager Dawna Garofalo. “Times are tough and they are happy for the support.”

The Family Support Council is made up entirely of parents and guardians that receive services through The Moore Center’s Family Support Department, the agency department with the largest number of clients. Council members purchased the food with their allotted funds and shopped for everything on their own time. On November 22, Family Support staff members arranged the baskets for delivery.

“We’re happy to help in any way we can,” said Garofalo. “The Council hopes to continue this tradition in the future.”